Prevent a “Hijacking” of Your Planning Session
I recently had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Dr. Rhoberta Shaler for my podcast, Cool Culture Corner. During the show we talked about “hijackals” — her te
A Dual Purpose for Strategic Planning
We are in the midst of strategic planning season for most organizations as executives, business owners, and leaders begin to set direction for next year and beyon
Teaching “the Why” Behind the Mission and Vision
A few years back, a colleague of mine made me aware of a comment made by a speaker during a convention. According to the source, the speaker suggested that organi
A New Napkin: The Strategic Map
While I’m a big fan of the value of the napkin as a tool to record the impromptu idea for a new venture or new program, it’s a temporary tool at best. They get we
When a Task is More Than a Task
One of the number one complaints I hear from executives, managers, and small business owners is a version of “My employees just won’t (bleep) listen, (bleep, blee
The Employees First Approach
“Take care of your employees, and they’ll take care of your customers.” This quote from J.W. Marriott, Jr. in the 1997 book, The Spirit to Serve: Marriott’s Way,
You Can’t Have Google’s Culture…but You Can Have Something Better
“I want to have a culture like Google!” I’ve heard this type of statement more than once from potential clients. Usually it’s from tech entrepreneurs that want to
Work With a Partner, Not “Just Another Vendor”
“We can’t be just another vendor!” This was one of the initial statements my boss made to me shortly after I earned my first sales management job. The point he dr
Social Media isn’t a Quick Fix but a Branding Tool
A number of years ago, a colleague of mine read an e-mail my firm had sent promoting a loyalty program which also doubles as a social media management system. She
What Can We Learn About Business From the Food Network?
My wife is a huge fan of the Food Network. The great food that she makes, as well as my waistline, are proof of that. While I can’t say that I quite share her pas